AFL legends playing the property game

While AFL legends tend to have long and illustrious careers on-field, many footy greats start simultaneously playing the property game off-field, too.

Here we take a look at some of the real estate purchases that AFL legends have made over the years and which players are kicking some serious property goals.

Anthony Koutoufides

278 games, Carlton

Carlton legend Anthony Koutoufides is regarded as one of the most athletic players of all time, playing 278 games during his career, including the 1995 premiership. In the mid ’90s Koutoufides was the AFL face of Nike and Adidas, and he continues to make numerous TV and media appearances today.

Koutoufides sold his Brunswick West home for $1.638m. Picture: Josie Hayden / Herald Sun

Koutoufides paid just $335,000 for his four-bedroom Brunswick West home in 1999, which was just a short drive from Princes Park, the home of the Carlton Football Club. In 2017, he sold it for an impressive $1.638m before relocating to Ivanhoe with his family.

2 Coronation St, Brunswick West

PAID: $335,000 in 1999

SOLD: $1.638m in Dec 2017

Koutoufides added a second bathroom to the home. Picture: realestate.com.au

Wayne Carey

272 games, North Melbourne and Adelaide

While we haven’t seen Carey kick the footy since 2004, this dual-premiership captain, four-time best and fairest and seven-time All Australian still shares his wealth of knowledge from the commentator’s box each week.

The stunning brick home that Carey lived in during his footy days was decked out with the best in home automation (lighting, blinds, audio-visual, gas-log fireplace and cameras at front and rear) and was only a short walk to shops, cafes and the Moonee Ponds train station.

Carey paid $620,000 for the four-bedroom Edwardian home in 1995 and sold it for $1.15m just four years later. While still a solid result, in January 2017 the home went on to sell for a huge $3.9m. Perhaps he should have held onto it for a little longer?

10 Ardmillan Road, Moonee Ponds, Vic 3039

PAID: $620,000 in 1995

SOLD: $1.15m in 1999

The Moonee Ponds home sold for $3.9 million in 2017. Picture: realestate.com.au

Jonathan Brown

256 games, Brisbane Lions

No doubt Jonathan Brown would have a pretty crowded mantel; he’s a three-time club best and fairest, a two-time All Australian, winner of the Coleman Medal and a three-time premiership player.

In fact, the AFL legend continues to make waves with his media career and as co-host on Nova 100’s Chrissy Sam & Brownie breakfast radio show.

Brown, his wife Kylie and their three children sadly parted with their Gold Coast estate after realising their interstate jobs would be keeping them down south.

The 2.3ha estate held two striking residences – a four-bedroom Hampton’s style home with a deck overlooking a pool, and an American-style barn with a granny flat upstairs. It was sold for $3.5m in June last year to a couple with two children.

1027 & 1031 Currumbin Creek Road, QLD

PAID: $2.5m 2013

SOLD: $3.5m June 2018

This 5.7 acre estate has two striking residences. Picture: realestate.com.au

Dustin Fletcher

400 games, Essendon

Dustin Fletcher is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in AFL history, clocking up exactly 400 games, including two premierships (one in his first year) and the club’s best and fairest; he was also named an All Australian, twice.

Dustin Fletcher is known as one of the best defenders in AFL history. Picture: Michael Klein / Herald Sun

Fletcher bought a single-level, three-bedroom Keilor East residence in 2017 for his sons to live in, but didn’t make a dollar on the sale earlier this month. The home offered low-maintenance living with nearby schools and parks, as well as easy freeway access.

Lucky for him, this wasn’t his only property purchase. Fletcher and his wife sold their Bent Street home back in September 2014 for $1.55m after buying it for around $415,000 in 1998.

Fletcher sold this house back in 2014. Picture: realestate.com.au

Garry Lyon

226 games, Melbourne

It’s hard to decide if Garry is better known for his career on or off the field.

During the ‘80s and ‘90s Lyon played 226 games for the Melbourne Football Club, where he was also, for a time, the longest-serving captain at the club. During his tenure he was awarded two club best and fairests and named in the All Australian team three times.

Lyon has also built himself an illustrious media career, with various stints on radio, TV and in print, in addition to his current role as commentator and co-host on The Couch.

Earlier this year, Lyon made headlines with his girlfriend Nicky Brownless, after spending more than $3m on a house in Armadale together. The four-bedroom home was transformed with a contemporary makeover, and the end result boasts open-plan living and a sun-drenched courtyard.

This wasn’t Lyon’s first foray into property; he purchased a 20ha off-grid escape in Main Ridge for more than $2 million in 2016 and sold his five-bedroom family home back in 2015.

The Armadale abode has a open-plan kitchen and dining with a sun-drenched courtyard. Picture: realestate.com.au